EX-14 5 file005.htm CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS








                                                                      Exhibit 14

                       CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

                       HEALTH BENEFITS DIRECT CORPORATION

INTRODUCTION

      This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (this "Code") shall apply to all
directors and officers of Health Benefits Directs Corporation (the "Company")
and is designed to provide guidance regarding the Company's standards of
integrity and business conduct. Every director and officer of the Company is
expected to adhere to the principles and procedures set forth herein. The
purpose of this Code is to promote:

      o   Honest and ethical conduct, including fair dealing and the ethical
          handling of actual or apparent interest between personal and
          professional relationships;

      o   Conducting business with professional competence and integrity;

      o   Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure;

      o   Compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations;

      o   Prompt reporting of violations of this Code; and

      o   Accountability for adherence to this Code and to deter wrongdoing.

      If a law conflicts with a policy in this Code, you must comply with the
law. If you have any questions about these conflicts, you should ask your
supervisor how to handle the situation.

      Those who violate the standards in this Code will be subject to
disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

L.    COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS

      Obeying the law, both in letter and in spirit, is the foundation on which
this Company's ethical standards are built. All directors and officers must
respect and obey the laws, rules and regulations of the cities, states and
countries in which we operate. It is the personal responsibility of each
individual to adhere to the standards and restrictions imposed by those laws,
rules and regulations. Any director or officer who is unfamiliar or uncertain
about the legal rules involving the Company's business conducted by him or her
should consult with higher levels of management or the Company's Chief Financial
Officer before taking any actions that may jeopardize the Company or that
individual.




2.    PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND INTEGRITY

      The Company is committed to deliver professional services in accordance
with its policies and relevant technical and professional standards, to meet its
contractual obligations, and to uphold its name and reputation.

3.    CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

      A "conflict of interest" exists when a person's private interest
interferes in any way with the interests of the Company. A conflict situation
can arise when a director or officer takes actions or has interests that may
make it difficult to perform his or her Company work objectively and
effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise when a director or officer, or
members of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of
his or her position in the Company. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of,
directors and officers and their family members may create conflicts of
interest.

      It is almost always a conflict of interest for an officer or director to
work simultaneously for a competitor, customer or supplier. You are not allowed
to work for a competitor as a consultant or board member. The best policy is to
avoid any direct or indirect business connection with our customers, suppliers
or competitors, except on our behalf. Conflicts of interest are prohibited as a
matter of Company policy, except under guidelines approved by the board of
directors of the Company (the "Board"). Conflicts of interest may not always be
clear-cut, so if you have a question, you should consult with higher levels of
management. Any officer or director who becomes aware of a conflict or potential
conflict should bring it to the attention of appropriate personnel.

4.    RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

      A related-party transaction is a business deal or arrangement between two
parties who are joined by a special relationship prior to the deal. For example,
a business transaction between a major stockholder and the Company, such as a
contract for the stockholder's company to perform renovations to the Company's
offices, would be deemed a related-party transaction. Public companies are
required to disclose certain transactions with related parties such as
executives, associates and their family members in their Annual Report on Form
10-K or Form 10-KSB, as the case maybe. While the great majority of
related-party transactions are perfectly normal, the special relationship
inherent between the involved parties creates potential conflicts of interest
which can result in actions which benefit the people involved as opposed to the
stockholders.

      Related-party transactions are prohibited as a matter of Company policy,
except under guidelines approved by the Board. All related-party transactions
must be approved in advance by the Audit Committee.

5.    INSIDER TRADING

      Directors and officers who have access to confidential information are not
permitted to use or share that information for stock trading purposes or for any
other purpose, except the conduct of our business. All non-public information
about the Company should be considered


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confidential information. To use non-public information for personal financial
benefit or to "tip" others who might make an investment decision on the basis of
this information is not only unethical, but also illegal. If you have any
questions, please consult the Chief Financial Officer, Anthony Verdi at
610-971-6197.

6.    CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES

      Directors and officers are prohibited from taking for themselves
personally (or directing to a third party) opportunities that are discovered
through the use of corporate property, information or position without the
consent of the Board. No director or officer may use corporate property,
information, or position for improper personal gain, and no director, officer or
employee may compete with the Company directly or indirectly. Directors and
officers owe a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the
opportunity to do so arises.

7.    COMPETITION AND FAIR DEALING

      We seek to outperform our competition fairly and honestly. Obtaining
illegally proprietary information, possessing trade secret information that was
obtained without the owner's consent or inducing such disclosures by past or
present employees of other companies is prohibited. Each director or officer
should endeavor to respect the rights of and deal fairly with the Company's
customers, suppliers, competitors and employees. No director or officer should
take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of
privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other
intentional unfair-dealing practice.

      The purpose of business entertainment and gifts in a commercial setting is
to create good will and sound working relationships, not to gain unfair
advantage with customers. No gift or entertainment should ever be offered,
given, provided or accepted by any director or officer, family member of the
individual or agent unless it: (1) is not a cash gift, (2) is consistent with
customary business practices, (3) is not excessive in value, (4) cannot be
construed as a bribe or payoff and (5) does not violate any laws or regulations.
Please discuss with appropriate personnel any gifts or proposed gifts that you
are not certain are appropriate.

8.    DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT

      The diversity of the Company's directors and officers is a tremendous
asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of
employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment of any
kind. Examples include derogatory comments based on racial or ethnic
characteristics and unwelcome sexual advances.

9.    HEALTH AND SAFETY

      The Company strives to provide each employee with a safe and healthy work
environment. Each director and officer has responsibility for maintaining a safe
and healthy workplace for all employees by following safety and health rules and
practices and reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe equipment, practices or
conditions.

      Violence and threatening behavior are not permitted. Directors and
officers should report to work in condition to perform their duties, free from
the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol.


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10.   RECORD-KEEPING

      The Company requires honest and accurate recording and reporting of
information, including time sheets, sales records and expense reports, in order
to make responsible business decisions. For example, only the true and actual
number of hours worked should be reported.

      Many directors and officers regularly use business expense accounts, which
must be documented and recorded accurately. If you are not sure whether a
certain expense is legitimate, ask your supervisor or your controller.

      All of the Company's books, records, accounts and financial statements
must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect the
Company's transactions and must conform both to applicable legal requirements
and to the Company's system of internal controls. Unrecorded or "off the books"
funds or assets should not be maintained unless permitted by applicable law or
regulation.

      Business records and communications often become public, and we should
avoid exaggeration, derogatory remarks, guesswork, or inappropriate
characterizations of people and companies that can be misunderstood. This
applies equally to e-mail, internal memoranda, and formal reports. Records
should always be retained or destroyed according to the Company's record
retention policies. In accordance with those policies, in the event of
litigation or governmental investigation please consult the Company's legal
counsel.

11.   CONFIDENTIALITY

      Directors and officers must maintain the confidentiality of confidential
information entrusted to them by the Company or its customers and suppliers,
except when the Company authorizes disclosure of such confidential information
or laws or regulations require disclosure of such confidential information.
Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be of
use to competitors, or harmful to the Company or its customers and suppliers, if
disclosed. It also includes information that suppliers and customers have
entrusted to us. The obligation to preserve confidential information continues
even after employment ends.

12.   PROTECTION AND PROPER USE OF COMPANY ASSETS

      All directors and officers should endeavor to protect the Company's assets
and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness, and waste have a direct
impact on the Company's profitability. Any suspected incident of fraud or theft
should be immediately reported for investigation. Company equipment should not
be used for non-Company business, though incidental personal use may be
permitted.

      The obligation of directors and officers to protect the Company's assets
includes its proprietary information. Proprietary information includes
intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and
copyrights, as well as business, marketing and service plans, engineering and
manufacturing ideas, designs, databases, records, salary information and any
unpublished financial data and reports. Unauthorized use or distribution of this
information would violate Company policy. It could also be illegal and result in
civil or even criminal penalties.


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13.   PAYMENTS TO GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL

      The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits giving anything of value,
directly or indirectly, to officials of foreign governments or foreign political
candidates in order to obtain or retain business. It is strictly prohibited to
make illegal payments to government officials of any country.

      In addition, the U.S. government has a number of laws and regulations
regarding business gratuities that may be accepted by U.S. government personnel.
The promise, offer or delivery to an official or employee of the U.S. government
of a gift, favor or other gratuity in violation of these rules would not only
violate Company policy but could also be a criminal offense. State and local
governments, as well as foreign governments, may have similar rules. The
Company's legal counsel can provide guidance to you in this area.

14.   DISCLOSURE

      Each director or officer involved in the Company's disclosure process,
including the Chief Executive Officer and all senior financial officers,
including the chief financial officer and principal accounting officer, is
required to be familiar with and comply with the Company's internal reporting
practices. This includes the Company's disclosure controls and procedures and
internal controls over financial reporting, to the extent relevant to his or her
area of responsibility. Additionally, such persons must ensure that the
Company's public reports and documents comply in all material respects with the
applicable federal securities laws. Supervisory personnel should, to the extent
appropriate within his or her area of responsibility, consult with other Company
officers and employees and take other appropriate steps regarding these
disclosures with the goal of making full, fair, accurate, timely and
understandable disclosure.

      Each director or officer who is involved in the Company's disclosure
process must:

      o   Familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements
          applicable to the Company as well as the business and financial
          operations of the Company;

      o   Not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts
          about the Company to others, whether within or outside the Company,
          including to the Company's independent auditors, governmental
          regulators and self-regulatory organizations; and

      o   Properly review and critically analyze proposed disclosure for
          accuracy and completeness (or, where appropriate, delegate this task
          to others).

15.   REPORTING ANY ILLEGAL OR UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR

      Directors and officers are required to talk to supervisors, managers or
other appropriate personnel about observed illegal or unethical behavior and
when in doubt about the best course of action in a particular situation. Failure
to report such existing or potentially wrongful behavior is itself a violation
of this Code. It is the policy of the Company not to allow retaliation


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for reports of misconduct by others made in good faith by employees. Directors
and officers are expected to cooperate in internal investigations of misconduct.

      The Board shall take all appropriate action to investigate any reported
violations of this Code. If a violation has occurred, the Company will take such
appropriate disciplinary or preventive action, after consultation by the Board,
in the case of director or officer, or the Audit Committee, or another committee
of the Board, in the case of any other employee.

16.   NO RETALIATION

      The Company is committed to protecting individuals against retaliation.
The Company will not tolerate any retaliation against any person who provides
information in good faith to a Company or law enforcement official concerning a
possible violation of any law, regulation or this Code. Any director or officer
who violates this rule may be subject to civil, criminal and administrative
penalties, as well as disciplinary action, up to and including termination of
employment.

17.   AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS OF THE CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

      This Code may be amended or modified only by the Board. Any waiver of this
Code for executive officers or directors may be made only by the Board or a
Board committee and will be promptly disclosed as required by law or the
National Association of Securities Dealers.


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